Daughters of the King

Daughters of the King or the "Order of the Daughters of the King" is an Anglican lay religious order for women founded in New York in the 19th century which continues today.

Founding

The order was founded in 1885 by Margaret J. Franklin and her Bible study class at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in New York. The order marked its quasquicentennial or 125 years of existence in 2010.

The organization was founded in 1885 and considered itself "an order rather than a society" during its early years.[1]

Membership and Organization

It was originally only open to female members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. There were 5,000 members as of 1923 and its headquarters were at 84 Bible House, New York City.[2] Members of the Episcopal Church, or members of denominations in communion with the Episcopal Church, or Catholics, may become a Daughter of the King.

Daughters of the King is a sister organization to the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, a comparable men's organization affiliated with the Episcopal Church.[3] Its constitution was said to be close copy of that of the Brotherhood.[4]

Rule

Members take lifelong vows to follow a "Rule of Life", including a "Rule of Prayer" and a "Rule of Service."

Motto of the Order

"For His Sake...
I am but one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.
Lord, what will you have me do?"

References

  1. Preuss, Arthur A Dictionary of Secret and other Societies St. Louis: B. Herder Book Co. 1924; republished Detroit: Gale Reference Company 1966; p.105
  2. Preuss pp.105-6
  3. May women join the Brotherhood?
  4. Preuss pp.105-6


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